Job no: 848582
Work type: Faculty/Academic Staff
Major Administrative Unit / College: College Of Arts And Letters
Department: Al Research And Scholarship 40000801
Sub Area: FAS- Fac./Acad Staff
Salary: Salary Commensurate with Experience
Location: East Lansing
Categories: Education/Training, Fixed Term Academic Staff, Full Time (90-100%), Union
Working/Functional Title

Director of Institute for Ubuntu Thought/Practice

Position Summary

The College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University is seeking a full-time director for the Director of the Institute for Ubuntu Thought and Practice who would also teach two courses per year in the Department of Philosophy. This is a full-time, 12-month, fixed-term academic specialist position, beginning June 1, 2023 and ending May 31, 2028. A PhD is required. This position will be a joint appointment between the College of Arts & Letters (70%) and International Studies & Programs (ISP, 30%). In the Institute Director role, the successful candidate will be affiliated with ISP’s African Studies Center and provide support for relevant programming of the Center while supporting its three strategic pillars, including support for the implementation of MSU’s global diversity, equity, and inclusion mission and activities.

Administration (70%)

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate leadership with the newly established Institute for Ubuntu Thought and Practice in the College of Arts & Letters. The research institute is being created in the context of broader ethics initiatives at the University, in which the College and the Department of Philosophy play an import role. Essential in these efforts is the inclusion of non-western traditions, which also supports diversity, equity, and inclusion goals of the College and also MSU Strategic Plans. Duties include: leading the foundational years of the Institute; developing, articulating, and implementing Institute values and principles as well as a strategic plan; developing and carrying out Institute research-related programming; representing the Institute in all official business with other university official, faculty, students, and the public; implementing university policies that apply to the Institute; outreach and collaboration with university partners, as well as work in the area of development.

Teaching (30%)

In the College of Arts & Letters, the Department of Philosophy’s distinctive brand is “Engaged Philosophy,” which aims to expand philosophy’s traditional agenda, making the field more richly responsive to the multitude of voices and values in human communities, engaging philosophical reflection with the problems and resources of other disciplines, and grappling with pressing problems, both theoretical and practical. Diversifying the profession is an aim articulated in the mission statement of the Department. Faculty are teaching and doing research in areas of philosophy that concern diverse populations, including African American philosophy, feminist theory, environmental justice, and social justice. Since 1998 the Department has exemplified “Engaged Philosophy” by striving to achieve national and international distinction in research and graduate education in three related areas: [1] Bioethics/PHL of Healthcare and Medicine, [2] Feminist thought (e.g., in Bioethics, Epistemology, and Social and Political Philosophy), and since 2011 [3] Environmental Philosophy and Ethics. We are especially welcoming to interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and crossdisciplinarity researchers and to inclusive frameworks that support a pluralistic conception of philosophical practice. By developing and offering undergraduate offerings consistent with the focus of Ubuntu Practices, the successful candidate will enrich the teaching and learning for the Department. Teaching assignments will include general education (IAH) courses.

Experience working with and mentoring a diverse population of students is desirable; so too is experience using a variety of teaching methods and curricular perspectives.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

Relevant terminal degree, such as: PhD in Educational Studies or a related field and experience in teaching at a US institution of higher education. All degrees must be confirmed by degree-granting institutions at the time of hire.

Desired Qualifications

Expertise in Ubuntu philosophy; previous program management or leadership experience.

Required Application Materials

Qualified applicants should submit

a cover letter

current curriculum vitae

A 1-page summary of your philosophy of diversity, equity, and inclusion as it pertains to intellectual leadership in the areas of teaching/curriculum development, research/creative activities, service, outreach, advising, and/or administration. The statement should also include an explanation of related past or planned activities/endeavors as well as how the candidate will advance our goals of inclusive excellence. For more about MSU’s DEI efforts, see https://inclusion.msu.edu/. For more information about writing diversity statements, see https://cal.msu.edu/documents/cal-guidelines-for-the-writing-of-diversity-statements/

the names and email addresses of 3 potential referees

Special Instructions

Review of applications will begin March 24, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications must be submitted electronically to the Michigan State University Human Resources website http://careers.msu.edu. Posting number 848582.

For more information, contact Ashley Green at agreen@msu.edu.

Persons with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodation.

Review of Applications Begins On

03/24/2023

Website

cal.msu.edu

Department Statement

The College of Arts & Letters recognizes that only an academic and organizational culture, which actively seeks out and strengthens diverse voices and perspectives among its members results in true excellence. The College of Arts & Letters is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that intellectual leadership is achieved through open access and pro-active inclusion. We invite candidates to apply even if they have not currently mastered all the areas listed.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Advertised: Mar 13, 2023 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Mar 13, 2025 Eastern Daylight Time